site.btaUPDATED Retired Lieutenant Colonel Dismissed over Suspected Public Procurement Irregularities

A retired lieutenant colonel was dismissed from the Defence Ministry two days ago amid suspicions of misconduct in a public procurement procedure, Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov told reporters at the Council of Ministers on Thursday. The Defence Ministry later identified the employee as Ivan Hasamski, who works in its Public Procurement in Defence Directorate.

“I had prior information because we work very well with the Military Police. They did an excellent job,” Stoyanov said.

He said the case is now under the jurisdiction of the Military Prosecutor's Office. According to Stoyanov, there was a violation in the conduct of the public procurement procedure and “most likely there was misconduct”. 

Asked about the ministry's staffing structure, Stoyanov said an analysis was under way. “No, this is not a purge, these are normal actions in such a situation,” he said. He added that he would order Military Police checks and dismiss employees at the slightest suspicion. No other employees have been dismissed, he said.